PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jenni Salonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geoff Deal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Salonen
vs
Deal

157 cm
20
130 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

168 cm
24
136 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jenni Salonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Geoff Deal!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deal tries to clinch up but Salonen circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice combination there by Deal.

It looks like Jenni Salonen has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Salonen.

Salonen gets the takedown into side control.
Salonen is trying to ground and pound but Deal uses the momentary lack of control by Salonen to regain half guard.
Salonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Deal has hold of Salonen's hands but Salonen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Salonen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Salonen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Deal defending well though.
Salonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Deal's head.

Salonen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Deal doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Salonen.
Salonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deal is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Salonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Deal is looking to control Salonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Deal avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Deal scores with a leg kick.
Deal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Salonen doesn't seem bothered though.
Salonen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Salonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Salonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenni Salonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salonen is breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Deal as Salonen shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Deal.
Deal lands with a nice body punch.
A head kick from Deal lands but Salonen takes it in his stride.
Deal is looking to slow Salonen down with leg kicks.

Deal pushes Salonen up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bit of stalling here from Deal.
Deal scores with a shot to the side of Salonen's head.
Deal controlling the action here for a moment.
Salonen wants a takedown but no success here.
Deal scores a nice knee to the body.
Deal landing knees to the body.
Deal crunches a lovely knee into Salonen's ribcage.
A short right from Deal.
Salonen being controlled against the cage.
Deal scores a nice knee to the body.
Deal unloads a knee to the mid-section. Salonen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Deal works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Deal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Salonen doesn't seem bothered though.

Deal clinches up with Salonen and pushes him back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Deal.
Salonen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Deal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Salonen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Deal prevents it.
Deal works on Salonen's body with a couple of short punches.
Deal stalls.
Deal with a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Deal.
Deal stalling the fight.
Deal with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Deal manages to get underhooks.
Deal avoiding damage.
A short left from Deal.
Knees to the body from Deal.
Good body shot from Deal.
Deal lands a knee to the body.
Salonen has Deal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Deal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Deal unloads a knee to the mid-section. Salonen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Deal.
A left hand lands to the body for Deal.
Deal lands a body punch in the clinch.
Deal scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knees to the body from Deal.
Deal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Deal presses Salonen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Deal.
Deal holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Deal breaks from the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Deal.
Deal throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Salonen's head.
Deal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Salonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Deal is fending him off so far but Salonen persists. Nope, Deal circles away and we're back to standing.
Salonen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salonen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Salonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Salonen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Deal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geoff Deal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jenni Salonen's cut.
That's time! Salonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Salonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Salonen wants to clinch but Deal slips to the side
and Deal counters with a good low kick that Salonen was not able to check.
Deal lands a nice leg kick that just misses Salonen's sensitive parts.
Jenni Salonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Salonen moves into range and clinches up with Deal.
Knees to the body from Deal.
Salonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Deal scores a nice knee to the body.
Deal lands with a left to the head.
Deal crunches a lovely knee into Salonen's ribcage.
Deal crunches a lovely knee into Salonen's ribcage.
Deal landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Deal stalling.
Salonen can't get the takedown.
Deal crunches a lovely knee into Salonen's ribcage.
Salonen looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenni Salonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Salonen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Deal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Deal connects with a knee to the head.
Salonen takes an elbow to the temple.
Deal slows down the pace here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salonen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Deal fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Salonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Deal sprawls well. He's pushed Salonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Deal connects with a jab.
Deal goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Deal works over Salonen's head and body with a nice combination.
Salonen shoots and misses
and Deal counters with a low kick, right behind Salonen 's knee.
Salonen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Salonen takes a kick to the side of the head.

Deal pushes Salonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Salonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Deal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Deal manages to get underhooks.
Deal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Salonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deal is leaning against Salonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Deal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Geoff Deal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salonen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Deal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Deal goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Salonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Deal counters with a leg kick.

Deal forces Salonen back against the cage and clinches.
Deal crunches a lovely knee into Salonen's ribcage.
Salonen wants a takedown but no success here.

Deal breaks the clinch.
Deal with a hook.
Salonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Salonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Deal but Deal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Deal connects with a single shot there.
Salonen slips a jab and a cross from Deal.
Deal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Salonen wants to clinch.
Deal throws a head kick that Salonen semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salonen has a takedown stuffed.
Deal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Salonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Deal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Salonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Deal counters with a stiff right hand.
Deal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jenni Salonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Deal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Deal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Salonen clinches.

Deal manages to break the clinch.
Deal tries to clinch up but Salonen circles away and keeps his distance.
Geoff Deal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Salonen tries to clinch up
and Deal counters with a straight right hand.
Deal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Salonen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Salonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deal scores with a leg kick.
Salonen walks into a jab.
Salonen tries for a takedown but Deal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Salonen moves forwards but Deal connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Deal moves into range and clinches up with Salonen.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Deal.

Deal breaks from the clinch.
Deal cracks a nice hook into Salonen's ribs.
Salonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Deal sprawls well. He's pushed Salonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Deal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Salonen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice sprawl there from Deal as Salonen shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Deal. No joy for Salonen on that attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Deal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Salonen fails with the takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geoff Deal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jenni Salonen's cut.
That's time! Salonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Salonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Deal looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Salonen working the strikes but Deal uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Salonen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Salonen lands strikes from half guard.
Salonen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Salonen with the ground and pound but Deal uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Salonen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Salonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Deal has wrist control.
Deal keeping full guard, as Salonen tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salonen throws and elbow that misses. Deal uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Salonen's guard. Nice move by Deal!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deal trying to control the position from guard on top but Salonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salonen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Salonen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Salonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Deal swivels and escapes.
Deal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Deal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Deal jabs Salonen right on the nose. Salonen blinks but takes it well.
Salonen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Deal to score with a decent uppercut.
Deal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Salonen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A punch lands to the side of Salonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Salonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Deal swivels and escapes.
Deal fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Salonen with a poor takedown
and Deal counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jenni Salonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salonen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Deal lunges at Salonen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Salonen's hand.
Salonen misses with a takedown
and Salonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice sprawl there from Deal as Salonen shoots in.
Deal lands a head kick. Salonen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Deal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice takedown defense from Deal. No joy for Salonen on that attempt.
Deal stuns Salonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Deal as Salonen shoots in.
Deal jabs at Salonen's body.
Salonen with a poor takedown
and Deal counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Salonen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Deal to the mat! Deal manages to get full guard.
Deal is trying to keep Salonen in close.
Salonen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Salonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salonen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Deal avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Salonen throwing strikes from guard but Deal blocks nicely.
Salonen thows a big elbow that misses.
Deal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Salonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Deal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Deal thows a body kick. Salonen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Deal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Salonen on the side of the head.
Salonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Deal sprawls well. He's pushed Salonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Deal fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Salonen.
Salonen wants to clinch.
Salonen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Deal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Salonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Deal connects with a body shot.
Deal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
No luck for Salonen with that takedown attempt.
Jenni Salonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Deal jabs at Salonen's body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Salonen.
Salonen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Geoff Deal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Deal taking punishment in the form of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jenni Salonen.
I think Deal has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Geoff Deal!